Digital sum variation computation method and system

ABSTRACT

A digital sum variation (DSV) computation method and system is proposed, which is capable of determining the DSV value of a bit stream of channel-bit symbols to thereby find the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of the channel-bit symbols. This DSV computation method and system is characterized in the use of a Zero Digital Sum Variation (ZDSV) principle to determine the DSV. This DSV computation method and system can find the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of the channel-bit symbols in a more cost-effective manner with the need for a reduced amount of memory and utilizes a lookup table requiring a reduced amount of memory space for storage so that memory space can be reduced as compared to the prior art. This DSV computation method and system is therefore more advantageous to use than the prior art.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan application serial no. 88117002, filed Oct. 2, 1999.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to digital technology, and more particularly, to a digital sum variation (DSV) computation method and system which is capable of determining the DSV value of a bit stream of channel-bit symbols to thereby find the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of the channel-bit symbols.

2. Description of Related Art

In a CD (compact disc) system, analog audio signals are processed through sampling and analog-to-digital conversion into a stream of digital data. Typically, the digital data are formatted into 16-bit words, with each word consisting of two bytes. By convention, each byte of the digital data is referred to as a symbol. These digital data are then written onto a CD. There exist, however, some problems when reading these digital data from the CD if these data are directly written onto the CD without further processing.

Conventionally, these digital data should be further processed through the what is known as an eight-to-fourteen modulation (EFM) to convert each 8-bit symbol into a 14-bit data length called channel bits (each set of channel bits is hereinafter referred to as a channel-bit symbol. The EFM process is achieved through the use of a lookup table. The length of each channel-bit symbol should be compliant with the specified run length of the CD driver between 3 bits and 11 bit.

During a write operation, it is possible that the current channel-bit symbol and the next one are not compliant with the specified run length. One solution to this problem is to insert 3 bit, called merge bits, between each succeeding pair of channel-bit symbols, so as to ensure that all the data written onto the CD are absolutely compliant with the run length.

There are four merge-bit symbols (000), (001), (010), and (100) which can be selected for insertion between each succeeding pair of channel-bit symbols; through computation, the optimal merge-bit symbol can be found for the insertion.

During write operation, a pit is formed in the CD surface for each change of binary value. During read operation, the CD driver can produce a what is known as a Non-Return-to-Zero-and-Invert (NRZI) signal based on the pattern of the pits on the CD.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram used to depict the generation of an NRZI signal and a bit stream from a pattern of pits on a CD. During the read, when a pit is encountered, it represents a logic change from 0 to 1 or from 1 to 0. The starting logic voltage state for the NRZI signal can be either LOW or HIGH. In the example of FIG. 1, the NRZI signal waveform (I) has a LOW starting logic voltage state, whereas the NRZI signal waveform (II) has a HIGH starting logic voltage state. In either case, the CD driver can produce a bit stream of channel-bit symbols (efm₁, efm₂, efm₃) and a number of merge-bit symbols (m₁, m₂, m₃) each being inserted between one succeeding pair of the channel-bit symbols. The merge-bit symbols (m₁, m₂, m₃) can be removed later to obtain the channel-bit symbols (efm₁, efm₂, efm₃) which are then processed through reverse EFM to recover the original 8-bit symbols (SYM₁, SYM₂, SYM₃).

In the case of the NRZI signal waveform (I), whose starting logic voltage state is LOW, its digital sum variation (DSV), here represented by DSV₁, can be computed as follows: since efm₁=(01001000100000), the DSV₁ value at t₀ is 0; subsequently, since the first bit 0 is at the LOW state, the DSV₁ value becomes −1; subsequently, since the next three bits 100 are at the HIGH state, the DSV₁ value becomes −1+3=+2; subsequently, since the next four bits 1000 are at the LOW state, the DSV, value becomes +2 4=−2; and subsequently, since the next six bits 1000000 are at the HIGH state, the DSV₁ value becomes −2+6=+4.

Subsequently at t₂ (i.e., at the end of m₂), the DSV₁ value becomes +5; at t₃ (i.e., at the end of efm₂), the DSV₁ value becomes −3; at t₄ (i.e., at the end of m₃), the DSV₁ value becomes −2; at t₅ (i.e., at the end of efm₃), the DSV₁ value becomes 0. The DSV for the NRZI signal waveform (II), here denoted by DSV₂, is simply the negative of the DSV₁ value, i.e., DSV₂=−DSV₁ at any time point.

What is described above is how the pattern of pits on a CD can be converted into a stream of bit data during read operation. The encoding of the original digital data through EFM with insertion of merge bits before being written onto the CD is rather complex in procedure. The U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,249 entitled “EIGHT-TO-FOURTEEN-MODULATION CIRCUIT FOR A DIGITAL AUDIO DISC SYSTEM” issued on Dec. 20, 1994 discloses a method for finding the optimal merge-bit symbol through the use of DSV. This patented method is briefly depicted in the following with reference to FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 2, after efm₁ and efm₂ are obtained, four bit streams are obtained by inserting each of the following four merge-bit symbols: (000), (001), (010), and (100), between efm₁ and efm₂. After this, the respective DSV values for these four bit streams are computed, which are respectively denoted by DSV₁, DSV₂, DSV₃, and DSV₄.

Next, whether the length of the merge bits inserted between efm₁ and efm₂ exceeds the specified run length is checked; if the length is exceeded, these merge bits are inhibited from insertion between efm₁ and efm₂. To do this, a check is conducted for each of the four bit streams as to whether the number of consecutive 0s between the last 1 and the next 1 in efm₁ exceeds the run length, and whether the number of consecutive 0s between the first 1 and the preceding 1 in efm₂ exceeds the run length.

In the example of FIG. 2, efm₁=(01001000100000), efm₂=(00100100000000), and efm₃=(01000001000000). Then, the insertion of each of the four merge-bit symbols: m₁=(000), m₂=(001), m₃=(010), and m₄=(100), between efm₁ and efm₂ results in four bit streams, with DSV₁=+15, DSV₂=−3, DSV₃=−5, and DSV₄=−7, where DSV, is the DSV of the bit stream (efm₁, m₁, efm₂); DSV₂ is the DSV of the bit stream (efm₁, m₂, efm₂); DSV₃ is the DSV of the bit stream (efm₁, m₃, efm₂); and DSV₄ is the DSV of the bit stream (efm₁, m₄, efm₂). Among these DSV values, DSV₂=−3 is closest to 0, and the associated merge-bit symbol m₂=(001) is therefore chosen for insertion between efm₁ and efm₂.

In a similar manner, for efm₂ and efm₃, the DSV value of −8 can be obtained for the bit stream (efm₂, m₁, efm₃). The bit stream (efm₂, m₂, efm₃) is not compliant with the run length and is therefore disregarded the DSV value for the bit stream (efm₂, efm₃, efm₃) is 0, and the DSV value for the bit stream (efm₂, m₄, efm₃) is 2. Among these DSV values, DSV=0 is closest to 0, and the associated merge-bit symbol m₃=(010) is therefore chosen for insertion between efm₂ and efm₃. An NRZI signal can be then obtained based on the resulting bit stream (efm₂, m₃, efm₃).

One drawback to the foregoing method, however, is that a large amount of memory space is required to implement the DSV-based algorithm for finding the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of the 14-bit channel-bit symbols. This is because that the method requires the storage of a lookup table used in the EFM process and the binary data of each 14-bit channel-bit symbols, which are quite memory-consuming. Moreover, the process for finding the optimal merge-bit symbol is quite complex in procedure, and requires a lengthy program to implement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an objective of this invention to provide a DSV computation method and system, which can find the optimal merge-bit symbol based on DSV in a more cost-effective manner with the need of a reduced amount of memory.

It is another objective of this invention to provide a DSV computation method and system, which utilizes a lookup table requiring a reduced amount of memory space for storage so that memory space can be reduced compared to the prior art.

In accordance with the foregoing and other objectives, the invention proposes a new DSV computation method and system. The DSV computation method and system of the invention is capable of determining the DSV value of a bit stream of channel-bit symbols to thereby find the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of the channel-bit symbols.

In terms of system, the invention comprises the following constituent parts: (a) an EFM processing unit for converting each original binary symbol into its corresponding channel-bit symbol; (b) a PDSV processing unit for processing each original binary symbol to obtain its channel-bit symbol PDSV; (c) a channel-bit symbol inhibit circuit, receiving the output channel-bit symbol from the EFM processing unit and under control of a m_SEL signal, for determining which one of the merge-bit symbols is invalid for compliance with a specified run length; (d) an ODD checking circuit, receiving the output channel-bit symbol from the EFM processing unit and under control of a m_(n—)SEL signal, for determining, based on a previous start-to-channel-bit ODD value, a number of start-to-channel-bit ODD values for the merge-bit symbols, respectively; (e) a DSV computation and search circuit, coupled to the PDSV processing unit and the ODD checking circuit, for computing for the respective DSV values corresponding to the merge-bit symbols based on the current start-to-channel-bit ODD, the PDSV, the previous start-to-channel-bit ODD, the previous ZDSV, which DSV computation and search circuit is under control of the channel-bit symbol inhibit circuit to eliminate any of the DSV values corresponding to an invalid merge-bit symbol determined by the channel-bit symbol inhibit circuit, the DSV computation and search circuit outputting an index signal indicative of the selected merge-bit symbol using as the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between the current channel-bit symbol and the previous channel-bit symbol; (f) a third buffer, coupled to the DSV computation and search circuit, for temporary storage of the previous start-to-channel-bit ODD; and (g) a second buffer, coupled to the DSV computation and search circuit, for temporary storage of the previous ZDSV.

In terms of method, the invention comprises the following steps: (1) fetching the current channel-bit symbol; and then, based on the starting logic voltage state of an NRZI signal, determining the PDSV and ODD of the current channel-bit symbol; (2) assigning the current channel-bit symbol PDSV as the previous channel-bit symbol ZDSV, and assigning the current channel-bit symbol ODD as the previous channel-bit symbol ODD; (3) fetching the next channel-bit symbol; and then, based on the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal, determining the PDSV and ODD of this channel-bit symbol; (4) from four merge-bit symbols including a first merge-bit symbol, a second merge-bit symbol, a third merge-bit symbol, and a fourth merge-bit symbol, selecting the first merge-bit symbol; and then determining the first merge-bit symbol PDSV and ODD; and then performing an XOR logic operation on the previous channel-bit symbol ODD and the first merge-bit symbol ODD to thereby obtain a start-to-the-first-merge-bit ODD; and then determining the ZDSV value for the first merge-bit symbol based on the previous channel-bit symbol ZDSV and the first PDSV; and then, in the case of the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal being LOW, determining the result of the first ZDSV plus the start-to-next-channel-bit ODD to thereby obtain a first DSV corresponding to the first merge-bit symbol; and while in the case of the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal being HIGH, determining the result of the first ZDSV minus the start-to-next-channel-bit ODD to thereby obtain a first DSV corresponding to the first merge-bit symbol; and then checking whether the resulting bit stream from the first merge-bit symbol exceeds a specified run length; if YES, eliminating the first DSV; (5) selecting the second merge-bit symbol; and then determining the second merge-bit symbol PDSV and ODD; and then performing an XOR logic operation on the previous channel-bit symbol ODD and the second merge-bit symbol ODD to thereby obtain a start-to-the-second-merge-bit ODD; and then determining the ZDSV value for the second merge-bit symbol based on the previous channel-bit symbol ZDSV and the second PDSV; and then, in the case of the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal being LOW, determining the result of the second ZDSV plus the start-to-next-channel-bit ODD to thereby obtain a second DSV corresponding to the second merge-bit symbol; and while in the case of the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal being HIGH, determining the result of the second ZDSV minus the start-to-next-channel-bit ODD to thereby obtain a second DSV corresponding to the second merge-bit symbol; and then checking whether the resulting bit stream from the second merge-bit symbol exceeds a specified run length; if YES, eliminating the second DSV; (6) selecting the third merge-bit symbol; and then determining the third merge-bit symbol PDSV and ODD; and then performing an XOR logic operation on the previous channel-bit symbol ODD and the third merge-bit symbol ODD to thereby obtain a start-to-the-third-merge-bit ODD; and then determining the ZDSV value for the third merge-bit symbol based on the previous channel-bit symbol ZDSV and the third PDSV; and then, in the case of the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal being LOW, determining the result of the third ZDSV plus the start-to-next-channel-bit ODD to thereby obtain a third DSV corresponding to the third merge-bit symbol; and while in the case of the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal being HIGH, determining the result of the third ZDSV minus the start-to-next-channel-bit ODD to thereby obtain a third DSV corresponding to the third merge-bit symbol; and then checking whether the resulting bit stream from the third merge-bit symbol exceeds a specified run length; if YES, eliminating the third DSV; (7) selecting the fourth merge-bit symbol; and then determining the fourth merge-bit symbol PDSV and ODD; and then performing an XOR logic operation on the previous channel-bit symbol ODD and the fourth merge-bit symbol ODD to thereby obtain a start-to-the-fourth-merge-bit ODD; and then determining the ZDSV value for the fourth merge-bit symbol based on the previous channel-bit symbol ZDSV and the fourth PDSV; and then, in the case of the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal being LOW, determining the result of the fourth ZDSV plus the start-to-next-channel-bit ODD to thereby obtain a fourth DSV corresponding to the fourth merge-bit symbol; and while in the case of the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal being HIGH, determining the result of the fourth ZDSV minus the start-to-next-channel-bit ODD to thereby obtain a fourth DSV corresponding to the fourth merge-bit symbol; and then checking whether the resulting bit stream from the fourth merge-bit symbol exceeds a specified run length; if YES, eliminating the fourth DSV; (8) finding which one of the non-eliminated DSV values has the minimum absolute value; (9) if the first DSV has the minimum absolute value, then assigning the current channel-bit symbol as the previous channel-bit symbol, the first ZDSV as the previous channel-bit symbol ZDSV, and the current start-to-channel-bit ODD as the previous channel-bit symbol ODD; then jumping to the step (3); (10) if the second DSV has the minimum absolute value, then assigning the current channel-bit symbol as the previous channel-bit symbol, the second ZDSV as the previous channel-bit symbol ZDSV, and the current start-to-channel-bit ODD as the previous channel-bit symbol ODD; then jumping to the step (3); (11) if the third DSV has the minimum absolute value, then assigning the current channel-bit symbol as the previous channel-bit symbol, the third ZDSV as the previous channel-bit symbol ZDSV, and the current start-to-channel-bit ODD as the previous channel-bit symbol ODD; then jumping to the step (3); and (12) if the fourth DSV has the minimum absolute value, then assigning the current channel-bit symbol as the previous channel-bit symbol, the fourth ZDSV as the previous channel-bit symbol ZDSV, and the current start-to-channel-bit ODD as the previous channel-bit symbol ODD; then jumping to the step (3).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) is a schematic diagram used to depict the generation of an NRZI signal and a bit stream from a pattern of pits on a CD;

FIG. 2 (PRIOR ART) is a schematic diagram used to depict how a conventional method is used to obtain the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of channel-bit symbols;

FIG. 3 a shows a comparison between DSV and ZDSV in the case of the starting logic voltage state being LOW and the total of 1s being an odd number;

FIG. 3 b shows a comparison between DSV and ZDSV in the case of the starting logic voltage state being LOW and the total of 1s being an even number;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram used to depict the algorithm used to compute for ZDSV;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram used to show a comparison between DSV and ZDSV in the case of the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal being HIGH and the total of 1s being an odd number;

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the system architecture of the DSV computation method and system according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the inside circuit architecture of the ODD checking circuit used in the DSV computation system of the invention shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the inside architecture of the DSV computation circuit used in the DSV computation system of the invention shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram used to depict how to compute for ZDSV in a DVD system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of the invention, the algorithm utilized by the invention will be first introduced, following the implementation of the algorithm.

Algorithm Utilized by the Invention

The invention utilizes a new concept called Zero Digital Sum Variation (ZDSV). Based on the ZDSV principle, each 0 in the NRZI signal is regarded as a “−1” if the 0 is at the LOW state and as a “+1” if the 0 is at the HIGH state.

FIG. 3A shows a comparison between DSV and ZDSV when the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal is LOW and the total number of 1s is an odd number. As shown, at the start, the ZDSV value is 0; subsequently at the appearance of the first 0, since this 0 is at the LOW state, the ZDSV value becomes −1; since the next three bits 100 are at the HIGH state and include two 0s, the ZDSV value becomes −1+2=+1; subsequently, since the next four bits 1000 are at the LOW state and include three 0s, the ZDSV value becomes −1+2−3=−2; and subsequently, the next six bit 100000 are at the HIGH state and include five 0s, the ZDSV value becomes −1+2−3+5=+3 at t₁. (i.e., at the end of efm₁).

Subsequently, at t₂, the ZDSV value becomes +1 for the bit stream (efm₁, m₂); at t₃, the ZDSV value becomes −3 for the bit stream (efm₁, m₂, efm₂); at t₄, the ZDSV value becomes −3 for the bit stream (efm₁, m₂, efm₂, m₃); and at t₅, the ZDSV value becomes 3 for the bit stream (efm₁, m₂, efm₂, m₃, efm₃).

By contrast, based on the conventional DSV method, the DSV value varies in such a manner that, at t₂, the DSV value is +4; at t₃, the DSV value becomes −3; at t₄, the DSV value becomes −2; and at t₅, the DSV value becomes +4.

FIG. 3B shows a comparison between DSV and ZDSV when the starting logic voltage state is LOW and the total number of 1s is an even number.

As shown, at t₁, the ZDSV value is +3; at t₂, the ZDSV value becomes +6; at t₃, the ZDSV value becomes +10; at t₄, the ZDSV value is still +10; and at t₅, the ZDSV value becomes +4.

By contrast, based on the conventional DSV method, the DSV value varies in such a manner that, at t₁, the DSV value is +4; at t₂, the DSV value becomes +7; at t₃, the DSV value becomes +11; at t₄, the DSV value becomes +10; and at t₅, the DSV value becomes +4.

From the foregoing examples of FIGS. 3A and 3B, it can be learned that when the total number of 1s is an odd number, the NRZI signal varies in voltage state for an odd-number of times, and the difference between the ZDSV value and the DSV value is 1 (i.e., DSV=ZDSV+1); whereas when the total number of 1s is an even number, the NRZI signal varies in voltage state for an even-number of times, and the difference between the ZDSV value and the DSV value is 0 (i.e., ZDSV=DSV).

In the forgoing case, the computation for ZDSV and the conversion of ZDSV into DSV are disclosed in the following. The algorithm involves the use of the following variables: GZ_(n), ZDSV, PDSV(SEGMENT), ZDSV(SEGMENT), and ODD(SEGMENT), which are introduced in the following.

GZ_(n).

Assume that, in a bit stream, each series of consecutive 0s are collected as a group, with 1 serving as the separator between each neighboring pair of groups. Furthermore, assume that GZ_(n) represents the total number of 0s in the (n)th group. In the example of FIG. 3A, starting at t₀, it can be easily seen that GZ₁=1, GZ₂=2, GZ₃=3, GZ₄=5, and so forth.

ZDSV

When the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal is LOW, it is apparent that the first 0 group is minus. It can be deduced that: ${ZDSV} = {\sum\limits_{x = 1}^{n}{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x}}}$ In the example of FIG. 3A, at t₅, a total of ten 0 groups are collected, and therefore, $\begin{matrix} {{ZDSV} = {{{GZ}_{1} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)} + {{GZ}_{2} \cdot \left( {+ 1} \right)} + {{GZ}_{3} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)} + {{GZ}_{4} \cdot \left( {+ 1} \right)} +}} \\ {{{GZ}_{5} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)} + {{GZ}_{6} \cdot \left( {+ 1} \right)} + {{GZ}_{7} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)} + {{GZ}_{8} \cdot \left( {+ 1} \right)} +} \\ {{{GZ}_{9} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)} + {{GZ}_{10} \cdot \left( {+ 1} \right)}} \\ {= {\left( {- 1} \right) + (2) + \left( {- 3} \right) + (5) + \left( {- 2} \right) + (4) + \left( {- 9} \right) + (2) + \left( {- 3} \right) + (8)}} \\ {= 3} \end{matrix}$ PDSV(SEGMENT)

PDSV(SEGMENT) refers to Partial ZDSV, which represents the ZDSV value of a particular segment in the total bit stream, where the segment can be one of the 14-bit channel-bit symbols efm₁, efm₂, efm₃, or one of the 3-bit merge-bit symbols m₂, m₃ inserted among efm₁, efm₂, efm₃. By PDSV, the first group starts at the beginning of a channel-bit symbol or a merge-bit symbol. It can be formulated as follows: ${PDSV} = {\sum\limits_{x = 1}^{n}{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x}}}$ Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 3A, ${{PDSV}\left( {efm}_{1} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 1}^{4}{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x}}} = {{\left( {- 1} \right) + (2) + \left( {- 3} \right) + (5)} = 3}}$ PDSV(m₂) = 2 PDSV(efm₂) = (4) + (−8) = −4 PDSV(m₃) = (−1) + (1) = 0 PDSV(efm₃) = (−1) + (3) + (−8) = −6 ZDSV(SEGMENT)

ZDSV(SEGMENT) is similar to PDSV except that the number of 0 groups is counted from the start of the bit stream. It is formulated as follows: ${ZDSV} = {\sum\limits_{x = m}^{p}{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x}}}$ where

-   -   m represents the total number of 0 groups between the start of         the bit stream and the start of the segment.         Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 3A,         ${{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{1} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 1}^{4}{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x}}} = {{\left( {- 1} \right) + (2) + \left( {- 3} \right) + (5)} = 3}}$         ${{ZDSV}\left( m_{2} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 5}^{5}{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x}}} = {- 2}}$         ${{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{2} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 6}^{7}{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x}}} = {{(4) + \left( {- 8} \right)} = {- 4}}}$         ${{ZDSV}\left( m_{3} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 7}^{8}{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x}}} = {{\left( {- 1} \right) + (1)} = 0}}$         ${{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{3} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 8}^{10}{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x}}} = {{(1) + \left( {- 3} \right) + (8)} = 6}}$         ODD(SEGMENT)

ODD(SEGMENT) is used to indicate whether SEGMENT contains an odd-number or an even-number of is, where SEGMENT is a series of consecutive bits. Each consecutive bit can be a channel-bit symbol, a merge-bit symbol, or a segment of bits starting at to and ending at a channel-bit symbol or a merge-bit symbol. If the number is odd, ODD(SEGMENT)=1; otherwise, if the number is even, ODD(SEGMENT)=0. In the example of FIG. 3A,

-   -   ODD(efm₁)=1; (three 1s)     -   ODD(m₂)=1; (one 1)     -   ODD(efm₂)=0; (two 1s)     -   ODD(m₃)=1; (one 1)     -   ODD(efm₃)=0; (two 1s)     -   ODD(t₀˜efm₁)=ODD(efm₁)=1; (three 1s)     -   ODD(t₀˜m₂)=0; (four 1s)     -   ODD(t₀˜efm₂)=0; (six 1s)     -   ODD(t₀˜efm₃)=0; (seven 1s)     -   ODD(t₀˜efm₂)=1; (nine 1s) For ODD(t₀˜m₂), ODD(t₀˜efm₂),         ODD(t₀˜m₃), ODD(t₀˜efm₂), they can be formulated as follows:         $\begin{matrix}         {{{ODD}\left( {\left. t_{0} \right.\sim m_{2}} \right)} = {{{ODD}\left( {efm}_{1} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\left( m_{2} \right)}}} \\         {= {1 \oplus {1\quad\left( {{where} \oplus {{represents}\quad{the}\quad{XOR}\quad{logic}}} \right.}}} \\         \left. {operation} \right) \\         {= 0} \\         {{{ODD}\left( {\left. t_{0} \right.\sim{efm}_{2}} \right)} = {{{ODD}\left( {\left. t_{0} \right.\sim m_{2}} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\left( {efm}_{2} \right)}}} \\         {= {0 \oplus 0}} \\         {= 0} \\         {{{ODD}\left( {\left. t_{0} \right.\sim m_{3}} \right)} = {{{ODD}\left( {\left. t_{0} \right.\sim{efm}_{2}} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\left( m_{3} \right)}}} \\         {= {0 \oplus 1}} \\         {= 1} \\         {{{ODD}\left( {\left. t_{0} \right.\sim{efm}_{3}} \right)} = {{{ODD}\left( {\left. t_{0} \right.\sim m_{3}} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\left( {efm}_{3} \right)}}} \\         {= {1 \oplus 0}} \\         {= 1}         \end{matrix}$

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram used to depict the algorithm used to compute ZDSV. Assume that SYM_(n) represents the original (n)th symbol. Through EFM, the (n−1)th channel-bit symbol efm_(n-1) is obtained from the (n−1)th symbol SYM_(n-1), and the (n)th channel-bit symbol efm_(n) is obtained from the (n)th symbol SYM_(n). Assume that m_(n) is the merge-bit symbol inserted between efm_(n-1) and efm_(n).

The values of ZDSV_(n-1), ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)), PDSV(m_(n)), ODD(m_(n)), DSV(efm_(n)), and ODD(efm_(n)) can be determined through the use of the above-mentioned equations. Further, it can be deduced that: ZDSV(m_(n)) = PDSV(m_(n)) * (−1)^(ODD(t0 − efm_(n − 1))) ODD(t₀ ∼ m_(n)) = ODD(t₀ ∼ efm_(n − 1)) ⊕ ODD(m_(n)) ZDSV(efm_(n)) = PDSV(efm_(n)) * (−1)^(ODD(t0 − m_(n))) $\begin{matrix} {{{ODD}\left( {t_{0} \sim {efm}_{n}} \right)} = {{{ODD}\left( {t_{0} \sim m_{n}} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}}} \\ {= {{{ODD}\left( {t_{0} \sim {efm}_{n - 1}} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\left( m_{n} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}}} \end{matrix}$ Accordingly, ZDSV_(n) can be formulated as follows: $\begin{matrix} {{ZDSV}_{n} = {{ZDSV}_{n - 1} + {{ZDSV}\left( m_{n} \right)} + {{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}}} \\ {= {{ZDSV}_{n - 1} + {{{PDSV}\left( m_{n} \right)}*\left( {- 1} \right)^{{ODD}{({{t0} - {efm}_{n - 1}})}}} +}} \\ {{{PDSV}\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}*\left( {- 1} \right)^{{ODD}{({{t0} - m_{n}})}}} \end{matrix}$ Therefore, DSV _(n) =ZDSV _(n) +ODD(t ₀ ˜efm _(n)) This equation shows that when ODD=1, i.e., the segment (t₀˜efm_(n)) contains an odd-number of 1s, DSV=ZDSV+1; and when ODD=0, i.e., the segment contains an even-number of 1s, DSV=ZDSV.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram used to show a comparison between DSV and ZDSV when the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal is HIGH and the total number of 1s is an odd number.

As shown, it can be seen that, at the start, the ZDSV value is 0. Subsequently, since the first 0 is at the HIGH state, the ZDSV value becomes +1; subsequently, since the next three bits 100 are at the LOW state and include two 0s, the ZDSV value becomes −1; subsequently, since the next four bits 1000 are at the HIGH state and include three 0s, the ZDSV value becomes +2; and subsequently, since the next six bits 100000 are at the LOW state, the ZDSV value becomes −3 at t₁.

Next, at the time point t₂, the ZDSV value becomes −1; subsequently at t₃, the ZDSV value becomes +3; subsequently at t₄, the ZDSV value becomes +3; and finally at t₅, the ZDSV value becomes −3.

By contrast, the DSV value varies in such a manner that, at t₁, the DSV value is −4; at t₂, the DSV value becomes −1; at t₃, the DSV value becomes +3; at t₄, the DSV value becomes +2; and at t₅, the DSV value becomes −4.

Therefore, it can be learned that, in foregoing case, the NRZI signal varies in voltage state for an odd-number of times, and the difference between the ZDSV value and the DSV value is 1, i.e., DSV=ZDSV −1; whereas when the total number of 1s is an even number, the NRZI signal varies in voltage state for an even-number of times, and the difference between the ZDSV value and the DSV value is 0, i.e., ZDSV=DSV.

In the forgoing case, the computation for ZDSV and the conversion of ZDSV into DSV are disclosed in the following. The algorithm involves the use of the following variables: GZ_(n), ZDSV, PDSV(SEGMENT), ZDSV(SEGMENT), and ODD(SEGMENT), which are introduced in the following.

GZ_(n)

Assume that, in a bit stream, each series of consecutive 0s are collected as a group, with 1 serving as the separator between each neighboring pair of 0 groups. Furthermore, assume that GZ_(n) represents the total number of 0s in the (n)th 0 group. In the example of FIG. 5, starting at to, it can be easily seen that GZ₁=1, GZ₂=2, GZ₃=3, GZ₄=5, and so forth.

ZDSV

In this case, ZDSV can be formulated as follows: ${ZDSV} = {\sum\limits_{x = 1}^{n}{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x + 1}}}$ Here, the power of (−1) is x+1 instead of x because the start of the NRZI signal is positive. Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 5, at t₅, the ZDSV value is as follows: ZDSV = (1) + (−2) + (3) + (−5) + (2) + (−4) + (9) + (−2) + (3) + (−8) = −3 PDSV(SEGMENT)

PDSV(SEGMENT) refers to Partial ZDSV of a particular segment in the bit stream, where the segment can be one of the 14-bit channel-bit symbol efm₁, efm₂, efm₃, or one of the 3-bit merge-bit symbols m₂, m₃. PDSV can be formulated as follows: ${PDSV} = {\sum\limits_{x = 1}^{n}\quad{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x + 1}}}$ Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 5, $\begin{matrix} {{{PDSV}\left( {efm}_{1} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 1}^{4}\quad{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x + 1}}} = {{(1) + \left( {- 2} \right) + (3) + \left( {- 5} \right)} = {- 3}}}} \\ {{{PDSV}\left( m_{2} \right)} = {- 2}} \\ {{{PDSV}\left( {efm}_{2} \right)} = {{\left( {- 4} \right) + (8)} = 4}} \\ {{{PDSV}\left( m_{3} \right)} = {{(1) + \left( {- 1} \right)} = 0}} \\ {{{PDSV}\left( {efm}_{3} \right)} = {{(1) + \left( {- 3} \right) + (8)} = 6}} \end{matrix}$ ZDSV(SEGMENT)

ZDSV(SEGMENT) is similar to PDSV except that the number of 0 groups is counted from the start of the bit stream. It is here formulated as follows: ${ZDSV} = {\sum\limits_{x = m}^{p}\quad{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x + 1}}}$ where

-   -   m represents the total number of 0 groups between the start of         the bit stream and the start of the segment.         Accordingly, in the example of FIG. 5, $\begin{matrix}         {{{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{1} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 1}^{4}\quad{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x + 1}}} = {{(1) + \left( {- 2} \right) + (3) + \left( {- 5} \right)} = {- 3}}}} \\         {{{ZDSV}\left( m_{2} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 5}^{5}\quad{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x + 1}}} = 2}} \\         {{{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{2} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 6}^{7}\quad{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x + 1}}} = {{\left( {- 4} \right) + (8)} = 4}}} \\         {{{ZDSV}\left( m_{3} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 7}^{8}\quad{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x + 1}}} = {{(1) + \left( {- 1} \right)} = 0}}} \\         {{{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{3} \right)} = {{\sum\limits_{x = 8}^{10}\quad{{GZ}_{x} \cdot \left( {- 1} \right)^{x + 1}}} = {{\left( {- 1} \right) + (3) + \left( {- 8} \right)} = {- 6}}}}         \end{matrix}$         ODD(SEGMENT)

ODD(SEGMENT) is used to indicate whether SEGMENT contains an odd-number or an even-number of 1s. If the number is odd, ODD(SEGMENT)=1; otherwise, if the number is even, ODD(SEGMENT)=0.

Assume that SYM_(n) represents the original (n)th symbol. Through EFM, the (n−1)th channel-bit symbol efm_(n-1) is obtained from the (n−1)th symbol SYM_(n-1), and the (n)th channel-bit symbol efm_(n) is obtained from the (n)th symbol SYM_(n). Assume that m_(n) is the merge-bit symbol inserted between efm_(n-1) and efm_(n).

The values of ZDSV_(n-1), ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)), PDSV(m_(n)), ODD(m_(n)), DSV(efm_(n)), and ODD(efm_(n)) can be determined through the use of the above-mentioned equations. Further, it can be deduced that: $\begin{matrix} {{{ZDSV}\left( m_{n} \right)} = \quad{{{PDSV}\left( m_{n} \right)}*\left( {- 1} \right)^{{ODD}{({t_{0} - {efm}_{n - 1}})}}}} \\ {{{ODD}\quad\left( {t_{0} \sim m_{n}} \right)} = {{{ODD}\quad\left( {t_{0} \sim {efm}_{n - 1}} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\quad\left( m_{n} \right)}}} \\ {{{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{n} \right)} = {{{PDSV}\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}*\left( {- 1} \right)^{{ODD}{({t_{0} - m_{n}})}}}} \\ {{{ODD}\quad\left( {t_{0} \sim {efm}_{n}} \right)} = {{{ODD}\quad\left( {t_{0} \sim m_{n}} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\quad\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}}} \\ {= {{{ODD}\quad\left( {t_{0} \sim {efm}_{n - 1}} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\quad\left( m_{n} \right)} \oplus {{ODD}\quad\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}}} \end{matrix}$ Accordingly, ZDSV_(n) can be formulated as follows: $\begin{matrix} {{ZDSV}_{n} = \quad{{ZDSV}_{n - 1} + {{ZDSV}\left( m_{n} \right)} + {{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}}} \\ {= \begin{matrix} {{ZDSV}_{n - 1} + {{{PDSV}\left( m_{n} \right)}*\left( {- 1} \right)^{{ODD}{({t_{0} - {efm}_{n - 1}})}}} +} \\ {{{{PDSV}\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}*\left( {- 1} \right)^{{ODD}{({t_{0} - m_{n}})}}}\quad} \end{matrix}} \end{matrix}$ Therefore, DSV _(n) =ZDSV _(n) −ODD(t ₀ ˜efm _(n)) This equation shows that when ODD=1 (i.e., the segment contains an odd-number of 1s), DSV=ZDSV −1; and when ODD=0 (i.e., the segment contains an even-number of 1s), DSV=ZDSV. Implementation of the Invention

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the system architecture of the DSV computation method and system according to the invention. As shown, the system architecture includes an EFM processing unit 100, a PDSV processing unit 110, an ODD checking circuit 120, a run-length checking circuit 130, a first buffer 150, a second buffer 200, a third buffer 190, an inhibit circuit 160, a search circuit 170, a first multiplexer 220, a second multiplexer 180, an arithmetic unit 210, and a DSV computation circuit 300. The EFM processing unit 100 and the PDSV processing unit 110 are two separate memory units which are used to implement a lookup table that allows each input 8-bit symbol SYM_(n) to find its corresponding channel-bit symbol efm_(n) and PDSV(efm_(n)).

The efm_(n) data is outputted from the EFM processing unit 100 and then transferred to both the ODD checking circuit 120 and the run-length checking circuit 130, while the PDSV(efm_(n)) data is outputted from the PDSV processing unit 110 and then transferred to the DSV computation circuit 300. The merge-bit selection signal m_(n) _(—) SEL varies state sequentially in such a manner as to represent the selection of one of the four merge-bit symbols m₀=(000), m₁=(001), m₂=(010), and m₃=(100). These four merge-bit symbols are then inserted one by one between efm_(n) and efm_(n-1) to compute the corresponding DSV_(n) values, which are respectively denoted by DSV_(n)(m₀), DSV_(n)(m₁), DSV_(n)(m₂), and DSV_(n)(m₃).

The run-length checking circuit 130 is used to check whether the current channel-bit symbol efm_(n), after one merge-bit symbol has been inserted, will be compliant with the specified run length. To do this, the run-length checking circuit 130 first checks the 0 groups of the 14 bits of emf_(n) and thereby assigns the first 0 group GZ₁ as LRUN_(n) and the last 0 group GZ_(LAST) as RRUN_(n). In the example of emf_(n)=(01001000100000), GZ₁=1 so that LRUN_(n)=1, and GZ_(LAST)=5 so that RRUN_(n)=5. The first buffer 150 is used for temporary storage of the RRUN_(n) value of the previous channel-bit symbol efm_(n-1). The run-length checking circuit 130 then sends the RRUN_(n) value to the first buffer 150 to replace the RRUN_(n-1) value previously stored therein, and meanwhile sends the LRUN_(n) value to the inhibit circuit 160.

Under control of the m_(n) _(—) SEL signal, the inhibit circuit 160 first reads the LRUN_(n) value and the RRUN_(n-1) value, respectively, from the run-length checking circuit 130 and the first buffer 150, then successively inserts each of the four merge-bit symbols m₀=(000), m₁=(001), m₂=(010), and m₃=(100) between the RRUN_(n-1) and the LRUN_(n) value, and then checks whether the combined bit stream is compliant with the run length or not. If not compliant, the corresponding merge-bit symbol (hereinafter referred to as an invalid merge-bit symbol) will be sent via the INHIBIT0˜3 data line to the search circuit 170, allowing the search circuit 170 to eliminate the DSV_(n) corresponding to the invalid merge-bit symbol. For instance, if m₁ is an invalid merge-bit symbol, then DSV₁ (m₁) is eliminated.

The DSV computation circuit 300 is designed to compute DSV_(n)(m₀), DSV_(n)(m₁), DSV_(n)(m₂), and DSV_(n)(m₃) in accordance with the above-mentioned equations.

The ODD checking circuit 120 is used to perform the following steps: a first step of receiving efm_(n) from the EFM processing unit 100 and ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)) from the third buffer 190; a second step of determining ODD(efm_(n)); a third step of determining ODD(m_(n)) under control of the m_(n) _(—) SEL signal; and a final step of determining ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))=ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1))⊕ODD(m_(n))⊕ODD(efm_(n)) for m₀, m₁, m₂, and m₃, respectively. The resulting four pieces of data are then transferred to the DSV computation circuit 300 for further processing.

The DSV computation circuit 300 receives the PDSV(efm_(n)) data from the PDSV processing unit 110, the ODD(t₀˜efm_(n)) data from the ODD checking circuit 120, the ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)) data from the third buffer 190, and the ZDSV_(n-1) data from the second buffer 200, and then computes for DSV_(n)(m₀) at the appearance of the m_(n) _(—) SEL signal for m₀ in accordance with the following equations: $\quad\begin{matrix} {{ZDSV}_{n} = \quad{{ZDSV}_{n - 1} + {{ZDSV}\left( m_{n} \right)} + {{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}}} \\ {= \begin{matrix} {{ZDSV}_{n - 1} + {{{PDSV}\left( m_{n} \right)}*\left( {- 1} \right)^{{ODD}{({t_{0} - {efm}_{n - 1}})}}} +} \\ {{{{PDSV}\left( {efm}_{n} \right)}*\left( {- 1} \right)^{{ODD}{({t_{0} - m_{n}})}}}\quad} \end{matrix}} \end{matrix}$ ODD  (t₀ ∼ m_(n)) = ODD  (t₀ ∼ efm_(n − 1)) ⊕ ODD  (m_(n))   DSV_(n) = ZDSV_(n) + ODD  (t₀ ∼ efm_(n)) The DSV_(n)(m₀) data is then transferred both to the search circuit 170 and to the first multiplexer 220 and latched thereby. Meanwhile, the ODD(t₀˜efm_(n)) data for m₀, denoted as ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₀, is transferred back to the second multiplexer 180.

In a similar manner, DSV_(n)(m₁), DSV_(n)(m₂), and DSV_(n)(m₃) can be determined, and are then transferred both to the search circuit 170 and to the first multiplexer 220. Meanwhile, ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₁, ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₂, and ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₃ are transferred to the second multiplexer 180 to be latched therein.

The search circuit 170, based on the information about the invalid merge-bit symbol from the INHIBIT0 ˜3 data line, first eliminates any one of the DSV_(n)(m₀), DSV_(n)(m₁), DSV_(n)(m₂), DSV_(n)(m₃) corresponding to the invalid merge-bit symbol, and then, from the remaining ones, chooses the one whose value is closest to zero (i.e., the one whose absolute value is minimum). The corresponding merge-bit symbol of the chosen DSV_(n), referred to as the optimal merge-bit symbol, is then indicated via the m_(n) _(—) Index data line to the second multiplexer 180 and the first multiplexer 220. The m_(n) _(—) Index signal causes the second multiplexer 180 to select the ODD(t₀˜efm_(n)) corresponding to the optimal merge-bit symbol and then transfers the selected one to the third buffer 190 and the arithmetic unit 210. Meanwhile, the m_(n) _(—) Index signal causes the first multiplexer 220 to select the DSV_(n) corresponding to the optimal merge-bit symbol and then transfer the selected one to the arithmetic unit 210. At the arithmetic unit 210, the following arithmetic operation is performed to obtain ZDSV_(n): ZDSV _(n) =DSV _(n) −ODD(t ₀ ˜efm _(n)) Note that in the foregoing case, the arithmetic unit 210 performs a summation operation, but when the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal is HIGH, the above arithmetic operation will be ZDSV_(n)=DSV_(n)+ODD(t₀˜efm_(n)), and thus the arithmetic unit 210 performs a subtraction operation. The obtained ZDSV_(n) is then transferred to the second buffer 200. Next, the current ZDSV_(n) and ODD(t₀˜efm_(n)) data stored respectively in the second buffer 200 and the third buffer 190 are fetched as ZDSV_(n-1) and ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)) for the next symbol SYM_(n) to find its optimal merge-bit symbol.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the inside circuit architecture of the ODD checking circuit 120 used in the DSV computation system of the invention shown in FIG. 6. As shown, the ODD checking circuit 120 includes a multiplexer 122, a first XOR gate 124, a second XOR gate 126, and a third XOR gate 128. When the m_(n) _(—) SEL signal represents m₀, it causes the multiplexer 122 to select ODD(m₀) as output. The first XOR gate 124 processes efm_(n) to obtain ODD(efm_(n)). The second XOR gate 126 and the third XOR gate 128 in combination perform following the logic operation to obtain ODD(t₀˜efm_(n)): ODD(t₀ ˜efm _(n))=ODD(t₀ ˜efm _(n-1))⊕ODD(m _(n))⊕ODD(efm _(n)) Since the output ODD(t₀˜efm_(n)) corresponds to m₀, it is denoted as ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₀.

In a similar manner, when the m_(n) _(—) SEL signal successively represents m₁, m₂, and m₃, the output ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₁, ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₂, and ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₃ will be successively obtained.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the inside circuit architecture of the DSV computation circuit 300 used in the DSV computation system of the invention shown in FIG. 6. As shown, the DSV computation circuit 300 includes a first multiplexer 310, a second multiplexer 320, a first XOR gate 330, a second XOR gate 340, a third XOR gate 350, an adder 360, a C-adder (add with carry) 370, a first buffer 380, a second buffer 381, a third buffer 382, and a fourth buffer 383. When the m_(n) _(—) SEL signal represents m₀, it causes the first multiplexer 310 to select PDSV(m₀) as output and meanwhile causes the second multiplexer 320 to select ODD(m₀) as output. The first XOR gate 330 then performs the logic operation PDSV(m₀)⊕ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)) to obtain the output ZDSV(m_(n)). Meanwhile, the second XOR gate 340 performs the logic operation ODD (m₀)⊕ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)) to obtain the output ODD(t₀˜m_(n)). Subsequently, the third XOR gate 350 performs the logic operation ODD(t₀˜m_(n))⊕PDSV(efm_(n)) to obtain the output ZDSV(efm_(n)). After this, the adder 360 performs the arithmetic operation ZDSV(m_(n))+ZDSV(efm_(n)), and subsequently, the second buffer 381 adds ZDSV_(n-1) to the output of the adder 360 with ODD(t₀˜efm_(n)) from the ODD checking circuit 120 (FIG. 6) being used as carry bit. The output of the C-adder 370 serves as the desired DSV_(n)(m₀), which is then transferred to the first buffer 380. The ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₀ data is stored together with the DSV_(n)(m₀) data in the first buffer 380.

Subsequently, the m_(n) _(—) SEL signal changes states to represent m₁, m₂, and m₃ in a sequential manner to cause the DSV computation circuit 300 to successively produce DSV_(n)(m₁), DSV_(n)(m₂), and DSV_(n)(m₃). The DSV_(n) (m₁) and ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₁ data are stored together in the second buffer 381; the DSV_(n)(m₂) and ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₂ data are stored together in the third buffer 382; and the DSV_(n)(m₃) and ODD(t₀˜efm_(n))m₃ data are stored together in the fourth buffer 383.

The invention is also applicable for use with a DVD system in which digitized video data are also represented by 8-bit symbols and converted through EFM into 14-bit channel-bit symbols. The difference is that in the DVD system, the EFM produces a number of 14-bit channel-bit symbols corresponding to each original 8-bit symbol. For this reason, there is no need to find the optimal merge-bit symbol and it is only required to find any one of the channel-bit symbols that is compliant with the run length.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram used to depict how to compute for ZDSV in a DVD system. In this case, assume that one channel-bit symbol efm_(n-1) is obtained by processing the (n−1)th symbol SYM_(n-1) through EFM, and a number of channel-bit symbols efm_(n) _(—) _(i) are obtained by processing the (n)th symbol SYM_(n) through EFM.

In this case, the values of ZDSV_(n-1), ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)), PDSV(efm_(n) _(—) _(i)), and ODD(efm_(n) _(—) _(i)) for efm_(n) _(—) _(i) can be determined through the use of the above-mentioned equations. It can be deduced that: ZDSV(efm _(n) _(—) _(i))=PDSV(efm _(n) _(—) _(i))*(−1)^(OOD(t0−efm) ^(n-1) ₎ ODD(t ₀ ˜efm _(n) _(—) _(i))=ODD(t ₀ ˜efm _(n-1))⊕ODD(efm _(n) _(—) _(i)) Accordingly, ZDSV_(n-1) can be formulated as follows: $\begin{matrix} {{ZDSV}_{n\_ i} = \quad{{ZDSV}_{n - 1} + {{ZDSV}\left( {efm}_{n\_ i} \right)}}} \\ {= {{ZDSV}_{n - 1} + {{{PDSV}\left( {efm}_{n\_ i} \right)}*\left( {- 1} \right)^{{ODD}{({t_{0} - {efm}_{n - 1}})}}}}} \end{matrix}$ Therefore, DSV _(n) _(—) _(i) =ZDSV _(n-1) +ODD(t ₀ −efm _(n) _(—) _(i))

Next, all the efm_(n) _(—) _(i) corresponding to SYM_(n) are plugged into the above equation to obtain a number of DSV_(n) _(—) _(i) values, and from which the efm_(n) _(—) _(i) corresponding to the DSV_(n) _(—) _(i) having the minimum absolute value is chosen as the optimal channel-bit symbol for SYM_(n).

In conclusion, the invention provides a DSV computation method and system which is capable of determining the DSV value of a bit stream to find the optimal merge-bit symbol for insertion between each succeeding pair of channel-bit symbols. Compared to the prior art, the invention can find the optimal merge-bit symbol based on DSV in a more cost-effective manner with a reduced amount of memory and utilizes a lookup table requiring a reduced amount of memory space for storage so that memory space can be reduced as compared to the prior art. The invention is therefore more advantageous to use than the prior art.

The invention has been described using exemplary preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements. The scope of the claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. 

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for computing a zero digital sum variation (ZDSV) of a stream of channel-bit symbols, comprising: (1) fetching the current channel-bit symbol, and then, based on a starting logic voltage state of an NRZI signal, obtaining a partial digital sum variation (PDSV) and an ODD of a current channel-bit symbol; (2) assigning the current channel-bit symbol PDSV as a previous start-to-channel-bit symbol ZDSV, and assigning the current channel-bit symbol ODD as a previous start-to-channel-bit symbol ODD; (3) selecting one of a plurality of merge-bit symbols, and then, based on the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal, obtaining a PDSV and an ODD of the selected merge-bit symbol; (4) based on the previous start-to-channel-bit symbol ODD and the current merge-bit symbol ODD, determining a current start-to-merge-bit ODD and a current start-to-merge-bit ZDSV; (5) fetching a next channel-bit symbol as the current channel-bit symbol, and then, based on the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal, determining a PDSV and an ODD of this channel-bit symbol; (6) performing an XOR operation on current start-to-merge-bit ODD and the current symbol ODD to thereby obtain the current start-to-channel-bit ODD, and also determining the current start-to-channel-bit ZDSV based on the current start-to-merge-bit ZDSV and the channel-bit symbol PDSV; and (7) assigning the current start-to-channel-bit ZDSV as the previous start-to-channel-bit symbol ZDSV, assigning the current start-to-channel-bit ODD as the previous start-to-channel-bit symbol ODD, and then jumping to step (3) for a next merge-bit symbol.
 22. A method for use on a DVD system for computing a digital sum variation (DSV) of a data stream, comprising: (a) providing a pre-determined zero digital sum variation initial value ZDSV_(n-1) and an initial value ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)); (b) converting the data stream into a plurality of channel-bit symbol efm_(n) ^(i), wherein i=0, 1, 2, . . . , x; (c) obtaining a partial digital sum variation (PDSV) value PDSV(efm_(n) ^(i)) and a ODD(efm_(n) ^(i)) value in accordance with the corresponding channel-bit symbol efm_(n) ^(i), wherein i=0, 1, 2, x . . . , x; (d) calculating ZDSV_(n) ^(i)=ZDSV_(n-1)+ZDSV(efm_(n) ^(i)) and ODD(t₀˜efm_(n) ^(i))=ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1))⊕ODD(efm_(n) ^(i)), wherein i=0, 1, . . . , x, in order to determine the ZDSV_(n) ^(i) of the zero digital sum variation of the current channel-bit symbol efm_(n) ^(i), wherein ZDSV(efm_(n) ^(i))=PDSV(efm_(n) ^(i))*(−1)^(ODD(t0−efm) ^(n-1) ⁾, wherein the ZDSV_(n) ^(i) is the zero digital sum variation of the i-th channel-bit symbol efm_(n) ^(i), the ZDSV(efm_(n))_(i) means a zero digital sum variation of the i-th channel-bit symbol efm_(n) ^(i); (e) determining a final symbol efm_(n) ^(j) in accordance with the absolute value of the ZDSV(efm_(n) ^(i)) and a coding rule, wherein j ∈{i}, wherein i=0, 1, . . . , x; and (f) assigning the initial value ZDSV_(n-1)=ZDSV_(n) ^(j), the ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1))=ODD(t₀˜efm_(n) ^(j)), and then jumping to step (b).
 23. A method for computing a DSV(digital sum value) of a stream of channel-bit symbols, comprising: (1) fetching the current channel-bit symbol, and then, based on a starting logic voltage state of an NRZI signal, obtaining a PDSV(partial digital sum value) and an ODD of a current channel-bit symbol; (2) assigning the current channel-bit symbol partial digital sum value as a previous start-to-channel-bit symbol DSV, and assigning the current channel-bit symbol ODD as a previous start-to-channel-bit symbol ODD; (3) selecting one of a plurality of merge-bit symbols, and then, based on the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal, obtaining a partial digital sum value and an ODD of the selected merge-bit symbol; (4) based on the previous start-to-channel-bit symbol ODD and the current merge-bit symbol ODD, determining a current start-to-merge-bit ODD and a current start-to-merge-bit DSV; (5) fetching a next channel-bit symbol as the current channel-bit symbol, and then, based on the starting logic voltage state of the NRZI signal, determining a PDSV and an ODD of this channel-bit symbol; (6) performing an XOR operation on current start-to-merge-bit ODD and the current symbol ODD to thereby obtain the current start-to-channel-bit ODD, and also determining the current start-to-channel-bit DSV based on the current start-to-merge-bit DSV and the channel-bit symbol PDSV; and (7) assigning the current start-to-channel-bit DSV as the previous start-to-channel-bit symbol DSV, assigning the current start-to-channel-bit ODD as the previous start-to-channel-bit symbol ODD, and then jumping to step (3) for a next merge-bit symbol.
 24. A method for use on a DVD system for computing a digital sum value (DSV) of a data stream, comprising: (a) providing a pre-determined digital sum value initial value DSV_(n-1) and an initial value ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)); (b) converting the data stream into a plurality of channel-bit symbol efm_(n) ^(i), wherein i=0, 1, 2, . . . , x; (c) obtaining a partial digital sum value (PDSV) PDSV(efm_(n) ^(i)) of efm_(n) ^(i) and a ODD(efm_(n) ^(i)) value in accordance with the corresponding channel-bit symbol efm_(n) ^(i), wherein i=0, 1, 2, . . . , x; (d) calculating DSV_(n) ^(i)=DSV_(n-1)+DSV(efm_(n) ^(i)) and ODD(t₀˜efm_(n) ^(i))=ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1)) ⊕ODD(efm_(n) ^(i)), wherein i=0, 1, . . . , x, in order to determine the DSV_(n) ^(i) of the digital sum value of the current channel-bit symbol efm_(n) ^(i) wherein DSV(efm_(n) ^(i))=PDSV(efm_(n) ^(i))* (−1)^(ODD(t0-efm) _(n-1) ⁾, wherein the DSV_(n) ^(i) is the digital sum value of the i-th channel-bit symbol efm_(n) ^(i), the DSV(efm_(n))_(i) means a digital sum value of the i-th channel-bit symbol efm_(n) ^(i); (e) determining a final symbol efm_(n) ^(j) in accordance with the absolute value of the DSV(efm_(n) ^(i)) and a coding rule, wherein j ∈{i}, wherein i=0, 1, . . . , x; and (f) assigning the initial value DSV_(n-1)=DSV_(n) ^(j), the ODD(t₀˜efm_(n-1))=ODD(t₀˜efm_(n) ^(j)), and then jumping to step (b). 